Artistic and creative activities and cultural participation in later life are important keys to social inclusion, quality of life and the wellbeing. Responding to demographic changes, the Ministry of Culture of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia took the initiative in 2008 to introduce a new strategy establishing "kubia", the Centre for Creative Ageing and Inclusive Arts.

kubia is a professional forum and service platform for artists, arts facilitators, care professionals and staff in cultural institutions and local authorities. The centre provides funding, information, training, networking opportunities and advice on all issues relating to cultural and arts-based activities and lifelong learning. Our aim is to raise awareness of the important role of cultural participation at all ages by developing trend-setting concepts and innovative models.

We focus on professionalising arts-related educational practices for older adults and persons with disabilities, promoting intergenerational dialogue through the arts, developing arts-based programmes for the frail and people with dementia, promoting participation and volunteer work in arts and culture in later life as well as developing intercultural and inclusive schemes. Furthermore, kubia engages in a variety of international projects and networks, p.e. in AMATEO, the European Network for Active Participation in Cultural Activities.

For more information on The Arts and Ageing in North Rhine-Westphalia see the report by Harriet Lowe, Baring Foundation, London 2017:

Creative Ageing in Germany. A view from North Rhine-Westphalia